Alger Family Reunion 2008 Update

The 2008 Alger Reunion is quickly approaching. I hope you are all excited!

The reunions are a great experience for each of us and more important are the memories we are making for our children and grandchildren.

Our recent gatherings have resulted in the Family History Book, generously published by Dan Alger. He accomplished an incredible task in assembling that beautiful book. It will be the topic of conversations for years to come.

We also have the 2007 Reunion T-shirts designed and provided by Sandy Weiner. They were an enormous hit and it was quite amazing to see over 100 family members in matching T-shirts at the same time.

So, please mark the date on your calendar to reconnect with cousins from our youth and make the acquaintance of those you’ve never met.

The planning committee has been meeting frequently concerning the details of the event. This year, we will be having a simple pot luck style barbeque of hamburgers and hot dogs, salads, beans, fruit, and deserts. We all know the food takes a back seat to the enjoyment of visiting with each other, and of course the games.

The fee this year is $10 per person. This can be sent to the Alger Family Reunion, 41676 Lori Ln., Hemet CA 92544. Please notify Sandra Clarke Haro at sharo222@gmail.com when you submit your check. She will respond by email when it is received. For those of you who prefer to use electronic bank payment, please contact Mathew Alger matthewalg37@yahoo.com for the necessary information

Again this year, we will have a 3-legged race, egg toss, and tug-a-war for the adults. Of course the children are welcome to participate also. It was so much such fun last year, I was bruised for weeks.

Our Reunion T-shirts will be in colors this year. Each child of James and Harriet Alger will have a different color. All of that child’s descendents will have the same color. The shirts are $10 each. Please designate quantities desired in each size. Adults, S, M, L, & XL and Children S, M, & L. Your orders can be sent to gallagher.denise@comcast.net Send your payments separately or with your attendance to the reunion.

We have fond memories of the early reunions organized by our parents. As families grew, their lives separated by both miles and lifestyles. However, the reunions instilled a sense of family belonging in all of us. I hope to see all of you at the reunion. Please confirm your attendance with the number of children and adults attending. You can send the info to gallagher.denise@comcast.net It really helps in the planning.

For any interested in driving from Salt Lake City to the reunion in Sonoma County or sharing a ride, please contact Matthewalg37@yahoo.com for details.

Thank you.

Alger Family Reunion 2008 Location

The 2008 Reunion will be held July 26 at the Casini Ranch Camp Ground in Duncan Mills, California (Sonoma County). This is the Russian River foakes! I am hoping the day in the River area will be enjoyed by all.

The Campground at Duncan Mills is about 15 minutes from Monte Rio, CA. Rick Dawson (grandson of Barbara Jose Alger)will be running the barbeque this year.

The campground currently has openings for those of you who would like to camp out. I am planning to stay at the campground for the weekend. There are many beautiful lodges, motels, cabins, etc in the surrounding area. Occidental and Bodega Bay are within a short drive. (for those of you who enjoy seafood & the coast)

Please confirm your attendance and make the arrangements you prefer. I am attaching links to lodges, motels, & cabins in the area.

Please let me know if you need any assistance in making arrangements to attend this years reunion. We can help with camp gear if you prefer to stay at the campground.

Links to the available cabins, lodges, etc. are located on the left.

We look forward to seeing you all in July.

Denise

Alger Family Reunion 2008

Mark your calendars. The 2008 Reunion is scheduled for July 26, 2008 in Sonoma County California.

The past reunions have taught us that during this weekend, we are all trying to spend as much time together as possible. Last year, I think we all drove Merrial crazy (fighting for his attention). This year, I have had positive responses from Lenore Lyman (Oregon) and her sister Ilene Abel. Dave Dawson's (very large) clan are also expected. Sandy Weiner's family (Dave Alger's daughter) has already made arrangements in the area. I understand her brother Steven's family (from New Mexico) will be joining them.

For everyone coming from outside California, we are making every effort to make the trip as affordable as possible.

It would be a great help to have some input from all of you who are planning to attend or would like to attend.

If you are planning to make the trip this year, please let me know (in an email)including a head count for your family.

Also, if you would be interested in any of the following accomodations or have a preference. If enought are interested in a common place we can make it more affordable. Please remember to include the total number of people.

Round Trip Charter Bus Travel
Overnight Camp Ground Stay
Overnight Cabin Stay
Motel Lodging
Country Lodge
# of adults
# of children.

I hope everyone is looking forward to attending this year.


Denise Gallagher
gallagher.denise@comcast.net

Reunion 2007 Utah

The 2007 Alger Reunion in Utah was a great success. We missed everyone from the 06 Reunion that weren't able to attend. I especially missed my family and was quite awkward when we gathered for the family photos.

Dan Alger planned the arrival of the Alger Family History Book to perfection. The book was the topic of discussion. Everyone was delighted. He couldn't have planned the title better if his mother had suggested it.

Merrial was thoroughly delighted and beaming with pride. On the day of the reunion, he pointed to the family photos and said "they would be so happy".

Please visit the photo show and feel our excitement.

Thursday evening started with a gathering hosted by Dan & Lita Alger at their home. It was a spectacular gathering as each family arrived. We were all excited and you knew we were family as we greeted one another.

Dan's children came in from all over. His brother Glen, wife Valerie and their son flew in from Washington. Susan Alger Ridgeway and Merrial Alger, as well as his youngest daughter brenda & family flew in from California. Susan's daughter Liana and family drove in.

The DeWayne Alger family arrived from all over Utah and other areas. They were a huge friendly group. We were so happy to meet them all.

Sandy & Robert Weiner family, Sharon & Lloyd Richmond family, Matthew Alger family, as well as the Bob & LaFlores Dawson family were all on the scene.

Sandy Clark Haro, son Charlie, Nikki Clark & husband Stephen Ryder made a road trip through southern Utah.

Phyllis & Paul Andrews and family arrived for the Saturday reunion.

I along with Sheri & Dennis Slaydon, and their son Schuyler made an extended road trip visiting St George, Zion Park, Bryce Canyon, Hiawatha, Cleveland, Huntington, Elmo, Price, Helper and continuing on to Payson.

Our photos don't do justice to the Utah Hills and skies that our parents told of. I intentionally left the photos unedited to reveal the changes of light on the mountains. The quickly changing skies and the light cast over the mountains was magnificient. It gave so much meaning to our Dad telling us "I need to get home to the mountains". This was our parent's beginning. The mountains they roamed in their youth.

It may have been the source of their drive and ambitions but it most certainly was the source or their strong family connection.

I hope you all enjoy the photo shows and will send your reunion photos to be shared on the Photo site.

The reunion went as planned with fun for all. Kids and adults enjoyed the games. The tug-of-war was a disappointment for some of us, as "everyone born an Alger" lost to "everyone not born an Alger".

The egg toss was great amusement as the resourceful kids used hard boiled eggs. Well, that's what it's all about. Algers like to win!

I want to thank Dan & Lita for all their hospitality and hard work. Their son Grant found he was being deployed to Iraq within a few days of the reunion. He left on August 22, 2007. Grant has a great, loving family praying for his safe return. God be with you Grant. We love you!

Next years 2008 Reunion is scheduled for the last weekend in July 2008, Sonoma County, CA. Contact me if you would like to be a part of the planning team. The plan is to get all the descendants of James and Harriet from Utah, California, Oregan, Nevada, Washington, etc. in the same place at the same time. Wouldn't that be a reunion. What do you think Uncle Merrial?

Dee Gallagher

Food for Thought

In January 2006, Craig Alger shared his desire to gather the family together for a reunion. He recalled fond memories of joining with our many cousins, uncles, and aunts for the annual events of the 60s. More than 30 years ago, we bonded together once a year at a huge picnic in San Bruno, CA and unknowingly created memories.

Eight months later, after hours of searching for relatives and planning, we joined in Rohnert Park CA. We gathered as strangers and left as family!

Many who attended the 2006 reunion had expressed feelings of apprehension, uncertainty, and strong negative feelings prior to the event. Those same family members were surprised to find those feelings replaced with a strong connective bond and a hunger to know more of our extended family.

In the introduction of the Alger Family History Book Daniel Alger wrote the following:

Last year when I received an invitation to the Alger Family Reunion in Rohnert Park, California from my cousin Denise Gallagher, I politely declined. Whatever positive memories I had from my youth were blocked by less favorable memories dominated by relatives that abused or suffered from the effects and stranglehold alcohol had on their lives. There was one cousin I truly wanted to see, but was told she would not be attending.

My father’s reaction to the reunion was quite different. He wanted to attend and looked forward to seeing friends and family. He is the last of the children of James and Harriet. As the youngest of twelve, he always looked up to older siblings and parents. Now he stood alone as the official patriarch of the family. I decided to go to the reunion because I wanted to support my father in his desire to attend.

When I arrived at the reunion, I was surprised with my own reaction. I met cousins and family members that I had not seen in decades. Some I remembered through the eyes of a twelve year old, others I had no memory of at all. I discovered that I had a strong connection with extended family and truly enjoyed the small amount of time I had with them. We shared stories and memories (mostly fond memories that I had forgotten or buried). I found that I was missing this connection in my life. I wanted to hear more stories, learn more about everyone's life and family. My cousin Susan was there. She had been a big part of my life growing up and I had not seen her in 27 years. I was able to spend time with her catching up on the past three decades and to ask forgiveness for weaknesses of my youth.

Please confirm your attendance at the reunion and give us the pleasure of your company!

James & Harriet Alger Descendents

The 2007 Alger Reunion is quickly approaching! The date is August 18, 2007 in Woodland Hills, Utah. We're still trying to locate many of our cousins and appreciate any information you may have! This year, we will sorely miss Loretta Preston, Mozelle Alger, and Clifford Alger. They were very excited about the upcoming reunion. Personally, I know how pleased Cliff was with the 06 Reunion in Petaluma. With that said, I am really appreciating my health and all of my family. I plan to attend as many future family gatherings as possible and look forward to meeting each of you!

It's very exciting to have this opportunity to get acquainted. I am amazed at the personality traits that are so apparent in Alger descendants. I am referring to the very powerful-positive strengths we have inherited. I've always known that my siblings and children possess the ability to "make things happen"and "achieve the impossible". The word "can't" is not in the Alger vocabulary. It's fantastic to meet our cousins and observe these traits in them as well!

Dan Alger (Merrial’s son) has devoted many hours to gathering histories for the book that will be available in time for the reunion. We are grateful for the submissions and enthusiasm from everyone. Writing our own histories was an extremely difficult and emotional task for some of us. The history book is being published for our family and Dan is generously providing a copy to each 1st cousin. I am excited and looking forward to reading the book. Try the family history link to the left for a preview.